Anastasia + Chad: a small Rocky Mountain Micro-Wedding Package at Sprague Lake

Their Story: We met in August 2014, on a “meet your fellow grad-student” walk around the Torrey Pines Cliffs in San Diego. We instantly hit it off talking about New York living, French vacations, and food adventures! A couple of years ago, we moved cross-country to Boston for new job opportunities and mountains to climb. Chad grew up in Colorado Springs, and we have made a trip back at least once a year to visit family. We try to fit in a hike, some skiing, or at least a trail walk during our visits. Usually, we are able to entice our family to join in as well. We want an intimate ceremony to really celebrate our immediate family and grandparents, surrounded by gorgeous scenery. Colorado just felt like the perfect place.  We love the outdoors, especially hiking! Our favorite vacation entails a challenging full-day hike followed by a hot tub soak and some burgers and beers. We also love getting spoiled with oysters and cocktails! We are always looking to learn and so like to experiment a bit in the kitchen with new ingredients while cooking, baking, bartending. That has really helped us appreciate individual ingredients and that more is not always better.  When done well, simplicity can be extraordinary.”

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© Kathryn Kim Photography

© Kathryn Kim Photography

The Micro-Wedding Day: Anastasia and Chad had a breathtaking micro-wedding in Colorado at Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. The bride shared special moments with her mother getting dressed, and the groom's mother lovingly pinned his boutonniere.  After getting ready at a vacaitn house in Estes Park, we traveled with the couple only for their private "first look" moment at 3M Curve, where the couple read heartfelt letters to each other with only their photographer as witness. Later, guests gathered at Sprague Lake awaiting the couple who chose to forego the traditional walk-ins (groom waits at the ceremony spot and bride enters with an escort such as Dad, Mom, Brother, etc).   For Anastatsia and Chad, they chose to enter the cermeony area together.  The groom's brother officiated a beautiful ceremony, and afterwards, everyone signed the marriage license (yes - signatures can be made on the back so it is like a livign guestboo.  They popped some bubbly, did some cheers all while we took some family photos. As the guests made their way to the vacation house, the couple had more stunning photos taken while a personal chef prepared a delicious dinner. To conclude the day, we all gathered for toasts and cheers, cut the cake, and sent the newlyweds off to enjoy their special evening together. Their micro-wedding in Colorado was a beautiful, intimate celebration of love and commitment.

Anastatsia and Chad had only their families present (9 guests, 11 with the two of them) and use our 4-hour micro-wedding pacakge, in which we bring champagne glasses (if kept uner 20 people).  Occassionally, if under 20 people), we stay at the cermeony area longer and display + cut the cake.  Contact Wendee for more ideas on how you can customize a micro-wedding package at Rocky Mountain National Park. 

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© Kathryn Kim Photography

Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.  If you're looking for a stunning micro-wedding, Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park could be just the spot you're searching for. The incredible scenery is sure to set the perfect backdrop for your special day. With the help of Custom Weddings of Colorado, planning your micro-wedding at Sprague Lake is easy and stress-free. Some tips to keep in mind are:

• Securing the proper permits:  Rocky Mountain National Park opens their booking permits up at one-year in advance.  They only issue 60 permits a month.  The most popular months are June, September and October and often fill quite quickly.   In order to do ANY kind of photography, special event or wedding inside the park boundaries, you much secure a permit and Custom Weddings of Colorado can help you with that throuhg thier micro-wedding and Colorado elopement packages.  There are certain approved locaitons to have your ceremony; you cannot just decide to have it anywhere, though you may take photos post-ceremony if staying on the proper trails.  
• Know and follow RMNP's regulations.  Yes, even though you are planning a micro-wedding or elopement in Rocky Mountain National Park, it doesn't mean you get to dismiss their rules.  They are a National Park and their primary purpose is preservation of natural lands, resouces and wildlife.  Thus, there are some important things to know like.... dogs are not permitted on the trails, stay on the trails, leave no trace, no thowing of any items whatsoever, no noise/amplification above 60 decibles.  Working with Custom Weddigns of Colorado on your micro-wedding or elopement in RMNP  ensures that your group will stick with the regulations and provide you guideance.
• Reservation Times:  During busy months (usually June through October), Rocky Mountain National Park requires anyone entering to have a timed reservation ticket.  ​After you get a permit, the first page of it acts as your reservation time ticket for your group.  With our services, we print and handout this ticket to your drivers (and plan logistics so that we convoy together through the entrance gates).  Then, when entering the park through the entrance gates ($25 to $35/vehicle), be sure to have your reservation ticket ready and accessible. The park requires all visitors to have an entrance reservation in advance to help manage visitation and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. 
• Wear proper attire.  Though you can adorn any kind of attire for your wedding day, know the weather patterns and choose comfortable footwear for outdoor terrain.  Often times, we'll have brides change their shoes once they get to the cermeony spot.  Or, simply wear low wedges or shoes that are easy for walking.  If you plan to have a spring, fall or winter wedding, make sure to plan for a warm shawl, fur or even coat (winter) as winds could be quite blustery. 
• Use  a local photographer to capture the essence of your big day.  With our pacakge, you get to choose from a network of five local photographers, all of whom have experience in Rocky Mountain National Park.  They know the terrain, the environement, weather patterns and best of all.... the spots for crazy amazing scenic backdrops.  This ensures that not only to you get amazing photos, but that your wedding day flow (timing/sequencing) is maximimized. 

If you're planning a Colorado micro-wedding or other special event in the park, be sure to check the park's website for the latest information and guidelines. We hope you have a fantastic time exploring one of Colorado's most stunning natural treasures!  With breathtaking scenery and the help of professionals like Custom Weddings of Colorado, your Colorado micro-wedding at Sprague Lake will be an unforgettable experience. 

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© Kathryn Kim Photography | 3M Curve in Rocky Mountain National Park

Have you ever heard of the 3M curve in Rocky Mountain National Park? If you haven't, you're missing out on one of the most scenic drives in Colorado. The 3M curve offers breathtaking views of the park's iconic mountains and valleys. It's a popular spot for photographers looking to capture the beauty of the Rockies. And now, it's also becoming amazing spot for micro-weddings and elopements. Couples are choosing this spot to exchange vows thanks to its natural backdrop and intimate setting. So why not take a drive along the 3M curve and witness its beauty for yourself?Who knows, you might just stumble upon a happy couple tying the knot.

If you're thinking of having a small and intimate wedding or elopement, Custom Weddings of Colorado can hlep you with the logistics of plannign it at 3m curve. With a maximum number of guests (15 people totaly including the couple and vendors), you can ensure that the occasion remains intimate and personal, allowing you to truly cherish every moment with your closest family and friends. We do recommend that all guests are reasonably mobile as this spot is not wheelchair accessible, though you only need to walk about 2 minutes to get to a crazy gorgeous overlook with mountain backdrops.  So if you're dreaming of a smaller wedding or elpement, reach out to us about a Colorado elopement package (up to 8 guests) or a micro-wedding package as the 3m curve might be just what you're looking for!  If, if you have more tha 15 guests... not worries, Wendee knows of other amazing venues in Colorado that can accommodate a "larger" small group.  With so many incredible photo opportunities, you'll be sure to capture memories that last a lifetime. And who knows, your wedding guests might even spot some of the park's famous wildlife while they're at it.

Coloraod Micro-Wedding Packages ⬇️

Colorado Elopement Packages

• Elopement Wedding Package: www.CustomWeddingsoColorado.com, inclusive of planning, florals, cake, photography and onsite coordination.  Contact Wendee to get started.
• Package inclusions:  Photographer:  Kathryn Kim Photography |  Florals:  Stefanie Hofmeister  |  Baker: La Patisserie Francaise |  Officiant: the groom’s brother
• Items to budget outside of the package: Hair & Makeup: Beauty on Location (Liz Gonzalez-Lara)|  Dinner: Personal Chef Christian Anderson   |   Lodging:  vacation home through Sky run Real Estate in Estes Park   |  Couples also need to budget for travel expenses, attire, rings and marriage license.

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